We found that FOXO3a expression was significantly increased in the miR-223 inhibitor group compared with the NC inhibitor group while miR-223 mimic transfection caused markedly decreased FOXO3a expression (Fig. 5b–e), suggesting that FOXO3a is a downstream target of miR-223 in HCC cells. This evidence concerns the gene FOXO3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.